Winter Solstice 2009

It was wet, really wet, cold and blustery but the prospect of a bonfire made for two very excited Munchkins who happily put sticks into the fire and toasted marshmallows in between showers.

It takes a huge effort to get me out on this kind of night, but I guess once a year you have to, to really remind yourself what winter is all about and help you really appreciate the warmer weather when it returns. It helped that we had family around us, a lovely meal, some mulled wine, and a short drumming session which some of the family kindly humoured me with.
Good company and good food will always warm the coldest night.

The rain held off at sunrise this morning, so today for a change I gallantly ventured out to my thinking log, warming my hands on my first morning coffee and counted my blessings out there amongst the dew dripping gumtrees and bird calls. Sigh..... :)

Eostre Moon Sleepout

We camped out on the trampoline last night and couldn't have asked for a better night. Perfectly cool, clear skies and a full moon.

We went for a nightstalk with our torches, watched the stars, found satellites, saw a helicopter pass overhead, watched and listened to the small flocks of cockatoos that flew over us on their way to their roosting tree and then bickered for an hour like kids at a sleepover, had a midnight feast and heard the story of Eostre and the Rabbit before snuggling down to sleep. After which I quietly took a few photos - this was one of them.
If there's a nicer way to spend a night I don't know it! :)